The future of the historical archives of Agfa-Gevaert, Mortsel, Belgium, has been secured with their deposition with Antwerp's Fotomuseum (FoMu). The collection includes photos, posters, films and other memorabilia, back to founder Lieven Gevaert, an industrialist who was also important for the history of Flanders. The archive had been kept in Varenthof, a castle next to the former factory since 1985. The transfer will take place in several phases and FoMu will develop a program of preservation and access for the collection.
The different sub-collections, which have their origin in, among others, the personal archives of Lieven Gevaert, Frans Van Cauwelaert and other company employees, as well as in the company archives and those of business clubs.
The collection is one of the largest such archives in Belgium. "Agfa -Gevaert is to this day an understanding and a company that for many people in the region and throughout our province forever remain associated with photography and film rolls," said deputy Luke Lemmens (N -VA) . "The role played by Lieven Gevaert is also going much further than the creation of an international company. As the founder of , inter alia, the Flemish Economic Association , he has played a role unmatched by the Flemish Movement and the cultural, economic and intellectual emancipation of Flanders."
The province of Antwerp will fund the €160,000 transfer in collaboration with the Center for Technical, Scientific and Industrial Heritage (ETWIE) and the Archives and Research Center for Flemish movement and nationalism (ADVN). The province wants to protect the collection and add it to the Flemish masterpieces list.
See: http://deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws/regio/antwerpen/1.2455736
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